[Blue Jackets by George Manville Fenn]@TWC D-Link book
Blue Jackets

CHAPTER THREE
7/11

"Hi, quick all along here." He made a dash for the front of a house, which seemed to offer some little refuge for us in the shape of a low fencing, behind which we could protect ourselves; for all at once there was a new development of the attack, the mob having grown during the last few minutes more daring, and now began to throw mud and stones.
Ching's sudden dash had its effect upon them, for when he ran they set up a howl of triumph, and as we dashed after our guide they suddenly altered their tactics, ceased stone-throwing, and, led by the swordsmen, charged down upon us furiously.
"It's all over," groaned Smith, as we leaped over the low fence and faced round.
And so it seemed to be, for the next minute we were stopping and dodging the blows aimed at us.

It was all one wild confusion to me, in which I saw through a mist the gleaming eyes and savage faces of the mob.

Then, above their howlings, and just as I was staggering back from a heavy blow which I received from a great sword, which was swept round with two hands and caught me with a loud jar on the side, I heard a familiar cheer, and saw the man who had struck me go down backwards, driven over as it were by a broad-bladed spear.

As I struggled to my knees, I saw the savage mob in full flight, chased by a dozen blue-jackets, who halted and ran back to where we were, in obedience to a shrill whistle.
Then--it was all more misty to me--two strong arms were passed under mine; I saw Smith treated in the same way; and, pursued by the crowd howling like demons, we were trotted at the double down the street to the wharf, which was after all close at hand, and swung down into the boat.
"Push off!" shouted a familiar voice, and the wharf and the crowd began to grow distant, but stones flew after us till the officer in command fired shot after shot from his revolver over the heads of the crowd, which then took to flight.
"What are we to do with the prisoner, sir--chuck him overboard ?" "Prisoner ?" cried the officer in charge of the boat.
"Yes, sir, we got him, sword and all.

He's the chap as come aboard yesterday." "Yes," I panted as I sat up, breathing painfully, "it's Ching.


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